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Volcano FAQ

Frequently asked questions about volcanoes.


Dino's debut, May 5 2004.

Dino's debut, May 5 2004.
  • Q: There is increased activity on the volcano drum, what does this mean?
  • A: The seismometers that we use are very sensitive instruments and can record signals from a variety of sources, this is often recorded as 'noise' and is commonly caused by weather around the volcanoes.

  • Q: What do the characters on the top left of a seismic drum or RSAM/SSAM plot mean? For example, what about KAAZ/10-EHZ/AK?
  • A: This uniquely identifies the seismic trace you are viewing:
    • The first part KAAZ shows the international seismic station code, in this case "Kauri Point".
    • The second part 10 shows the location code of the seismometer at Kauri Point.
    • The third part EHZ is defined by the SEED convention, and indicates the characteristics of the seismometer in use.
    • The fourth part AK shows the network code, in this case "Auckland".

  • Q: Is there a dinosaur on White Island?
  • A: Dino the dinosaur has been living on White Island since 2004, and is the unofficial mascot of the White Island volcano camera.

  • Q: What are the strange lights on the volcano webcams?
  • A: These strange lights are often caused by lights on the camera reflecting on the perspex camera cover, or occasionally the moon.

  • Q: Are there any volcanoes in the South Island?
  • A: Yes there are are. Otago and Banks Peninsulas are the eroded remnants of a series of volcanoes that were active around 8 to 20 million years ago.

  • Q: What are the potential impacts of an eruption?
  • A: Numerous types of hazards may result from a volcanic eruption; they include ash falls, ballistic falls, pyroclastic flows and surges, lava flows and domes, lahars, volcanic gases, volcanic earthquakes and atmospheric effects. Many of these phenomena will only affect an area close to the volcano. However, volcanic ash fall can be deposited hundreds to thousands of kilometres from its source, making it the product most likely to affect the largest area and greatest number of people.